Guyana Times - Tuesday, July 25, 2023

GPF launches holistic road safety campaign to curb road accidents

Exacerbated fatalities and reckless use of the roadways have led to the launch of a new campaign - 'Respect the Road' - being undertaken by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a desperate move to reduce accidents.

Launched on Monday, this holistic campaign will focus on education and enforcement for safer roadways in Guyana. Partnering with the GPF are the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Private Sector, telecommunication providers, and non-governmental organisations, among other entities.

For 2023 thus far, over 2000 persons have been charged with ticketing offences, which have exceeded 3000. Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken has said that ticketing has not been working to some extent; despite harsher penalties being meted out to defaulters, violation of traffic laws remains high.

Added to this, road fatalities have increased by 30 per cent in 2023, when compared to last year.

He disclosed that the World Health Organization has ranked Guyana at 63rd in road accident deaths, and this is due to the influx of motor

vehicles and increased usage of Guyana’s roadways, thus plans have been put in place to sustain this campaign.

“Every day, we witness irresponsible behaviour by operators when using the roads, and that altogether leads to, or has the potential for, tragedies that leave families shattered due to injuries or loss of lives, dreams unfulfilled. I believe that together, as a nation, we can create a difference and create safer roads for all road users,” he declared.

According to the acting Top Cop, speeding, driving under the influence, poor driver behaviour, distracted driving and inadequate infrastructure are some of the fac-

tors contributing to the alarming statistics. Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists must be separated from motorised traffic, and effective speed management infrastructure must also be in place.

He also disclosed that commanders have been tasked with identifying areas in the regions where speedbumps are needed.

Strategies

From the data in its possession, the Guyana Police Force has recognised that road accidents occur mainly at night, and has therefore split its resources to have a greater presence on the roadways both in the daytime and

evening hours.

Hicken has assured, “Whether it is raining or whether it is sunny, you are going to see Traffic men and Policemen standing out there by day and by night…

“Continued collection and analysing of comprehensive road safety data is essential for identifying hotspots, understanding trends, and developing targeted interventions. This data can also be used to create and implement policies, and take proactive steps to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities,” he explained.

Apart from sensitization campaigns being done at schools and in the public domain, he underscored that vehicles must undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance. Refresher training for drivers is also under the Force’s radar.

“We have not been tracking refresher-driver training for members of the public. Coming out of this launching, we’re going to have people dealing specifically with the driving schools, certification, the way in which we conduct the practical driving exam, GRA and the e-ticketing system,” he said.

Through collaboration

with telecommunication providers, drivers will receive SMS in relation to ticketing offences. Hicken declared that the downturn in traffic and crime offences should commence this month.

Offenders

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn pointed out that from weekly statistics, men between the ages of 18 and 42 make up the majority of traffic fatalities or drivers behind road accidents. Trends also include recklessness on the part of motorbikes and e-bike operators, which account for an alarming fraction of accidents.

Benn asserted, “The days are the weekends, from Thursday night to Monday morning, that’s when they kill themselves or kill others. From [18:00h] to midnight, those are also the times

when there are accidents and deaths. The most alarming statistics recently have been those related to e-motorbikes and motorcycles.”

He outlined that Police presence plays an important role in reducing road accidents, especially at main intersections. Additionally, public transportation drivers must be held accountable, especially those who imbibe while on the job.

The minister added, “We have to have the main traffic lights working. We have to deal with the usual suspects, the known and repeat offenders. The Policemen and women know those persons. We have to put measures in place that if you’re involved as a public transport provider and you’re involved in a fairly serious accident, your licence should be suspended.” (Rupa Seenaraine)

...over 2000 drivers being prosecuted for 2023 – Top Cop ...most fatal accidents occur at night – Min Benn

Acting Top Cop Clifton Hicken

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

A Traffic Officer on duty

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, July 24 from 23:59h until Thursday, July 27, at 23:59h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, July 25 – 08:40h-10:10h and Wednesday, July 26 –09:30h-11:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected throughout the day and at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South SouthEasterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 09:25h and 21:49h reaching a maximum height of 2.34 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:20h reaching a minimum height of 0.90 metre.

earns over $7B from interest

The United States Federal Reserve’s adjustment of its interest rates has contributed to Guyana’s oil and gas funds in the New York Federal Reserve Bank earning over $7.3 billion solely in interest income.

Earlier this year, the United States Federal Reserve increased its interest rates by 0.25 percentage points. It is a measure intended to control inflation in the US economy but has also had the side effect of increasing Guyana’s interest earnings for its oil fund held in the US bank.

According to a Bank of Guyana (BoG) report, Guyana earned over $7.3 billion from interest income in the first half of 2023. This comprises $3.2 billion in the first quarter and $4.1 billion in the second quarter when the interest rate spike occurred.

Guyana’s interest earnings from just the first half of 2023 are a sizeable increase from the interest earned for the whole of 2022. In the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) annual report of 2022, it was reported that $3.6 billion in total interest profit was received last year.

In the report, the BoG also assured that measures were taken to protect the fund from foreign currency risk. These measures include the constant monitoring of market conditions and trends.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

In the first quarter of 2023, Guyana received in excess of US$300 million

in payments for profit-oil and royalty, increasing the balance of its Natural Resource Fund to well over US$1.4 billion by the end of March 2023.

Based on the gazetted inflows of money for the first quarter, the Natural Resource Fund received US$377.1 million in oil and gas payments. This included a payment of US$157.6 million made in January for two profit-oil lifts that occurred last year from the Liza Unity and Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

Meanwhile, payments dating from last year’s transactions also included a royalty payment of US$57.5 million for 2022 fourth-quarter oil production. Guyana also received payments for two lifts that occurred this year from both FPSOs.

There was also a payment of US$82.2 million for a lift of profit oil that occurred on January 17, 2023, from the Liza Destiny FPSO. There was also a payment of US$79.6 million for a lift from the Liza Unity that occurred on February 3, 2023.

In January of this year, the BoG signed an agreement to officially hand over control of the NRF to the Board of Directors appointed by the President. According to Section 5 (6) (d) of the Act, the Board is required to enter into an operational agreement with the bank, so that management of the fund can change hands. This agreement was signed two days after the reading of the 2023 budget.

The NRF Board consists of five members, while the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC) comprises

nine members, and the Investment Committee has seven members. When it comes to the NRF Board, it is Chaired by Retired Major General Joe Singh.

Other members of the Board are Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Private Sector Executive Ramesh Dookhoo; former People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian Dunstan Barrow; and former Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Compton Bourne.

In June of this year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made it clear that even more must be done to further strengthen the management system under which the Fund operates, especially since the oil money Guyana accumulates would only increase. (G-3)

Guyana

on oil funds in 1st half of 2023 – BoG …more interest earned in 1st half 2023 than interest for entire 2022

The New York Federal Reserve Bank

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin

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‘Respect the Road’

Given the alarming number of road fatalities, injuries, and damage to property occurring on our roadways, it is welcoming news that the Guyana Police Force has launched a campaign to address the recklessness on our roadways.

The campaign, ‘Respect the Road’, will focus on education and enforcement, but, more importantly, would be held in collaboration with key partners.

According to the GPF, the core elements of the campaign are:

1. Branded road safety materials: This will serve as a powerful visual presence that would reinforce the road safety message. Through billboards, signs, bumper stickers and other media, streets and roadways will be saturated with reminders to be vigilant, cautious, and respectful on the roads. These visuals are intended to serve as constant cues, urging drivers, pedestrians and passengers to prioritise safety at all times.

2. Social media campaign: Social media is a potent tool for spreading awareness and influencing positive behavioural change. Hence, social media campaigns will engage citizens through informative content and eye-catching graphics, encouraging everyone to promote road safety by sharing experiences, tips and best practices in the fight against road accidents.

3. Road Safety school campaign: The ‘Respect the Road’ school campaign will aim to instill road safety habits from an early age. A designated mascot, ‘Cautious Chris’, will interact with students, making learning about road safety fun and memorable. This mascot will visit schools nationwide, teaching our young generation to be responsible road users and safety ambassadors.

4. Road Safety event campaign: Bringing communities together by conducting outreaches and workshops to foster a deeper understanding of road safety principles, workshops will be tailored for various demographics – drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers. By promoting dialogue and interaction, we intend to create a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for road safety.

This year will go down as yet another year when Guyana experienced some of the most horrific road accidents, resulting in the loss of lives and injury to countless others. Traffic statistics released by the GPF shows there has been a 26 per cent increase in overall traffic accidents, and a 30 per cent rise in fatalities during 2023 so far, when compared to the same period last year.

The reasons for the high rates of road accidents are well known, and there is no need to rehash them here, except to say that while there are various factors that impact road safety, there is little doubt that the single most important one in a general sense is enforcement of the traffic laws. Government has enacted the relevant legislation in relation to driving under the influence, loud music in vehicles, overloading, speeding, etc, but if the laws are not adequately implemented, they become useless. It would be interesting to find out how many drivers/conductors who are stopped for breaking a traffic law/s are actually charged and brought before the courts.

Further, besides enforcement of the traffic laws, there are several actions which could be taken immediately to reduce the number of road accidents here. Authorities should immediately ensure parapets and roadways are cleared of all encumbrances: such as old, abandoned vehicles, tractortrailers, carts, etc, as these have been known to contribute to accidents. At the same time, tougher action should be taken against persons who are bent on encumbering the roadways.

We had also made the point before that Guyanese need to move away from the culture of disregard and irresponsibility in relation to using the roadways. For a small country such as ours, we cannot afford to continue along this path. The number of deaths and disabilities as a result of road accidents is indeed very worrying, and something must be done urgently to bring a halt to the level of irresponsibility and recklessness on our roadways.

By NesriNe Malik

Jane is a junior doctor working several extra locum shifts to make ends meet. Burnt out after the pandemic, and struggling with her physical and mental health, she would really like to take unpaid leave, but she cannot afford to do so. Last month, her landlord hiked up her rent, then served her with an eviction notice when she said she couldn’t afford it. She now has to move for the fourth time in three years, and is back in a flat-hunting market where rents are higher everywhere.

She feels trapped, she tells me. Trapped in her job, with her accommodation options diminishing and her time permanently constrained by balancing long work hours with the demands of looking for a home. There is no space for socialising or relaxation, only for a fleeting sleep, from which she wakes up to go back to work, to look at places to live that are almost certainly out of her reach, and to run her numbers again, hoping that an overlooked saving will magically appear.

Behind the strikes, inflation numbers and talk of all the difficult decisions politicians have to make are a multitude of trapped people, their choices shrinking. People in bad relationships who cannot leave because rents and mortgages have gone up so being single is no longer viable. People who would like to have a child, or another child, but cannot afford its care, or who would like to return to work after having a child but the sums just don’t work. People in bad jobs with no security or benefits who cannot quit and look for alternatives because

they have no savings to buffer rising costs. The end result is a crisis not just of the economy, but of freedom.

With that crisis, an entire liberal ambition becomes thwarted. We talk of liberalism in grand abstract terms, as the noble heart of an ideal political order that promotes human rights, the rule of law, civil liberties and freedom from religious dogma and prejudice. We hope for it for others, sometimes taking it upon ourselves to bring it to them at gunpoint, evangelical about this finely calibrated system that manages the relationship between citizens and power, so that it never becomes coercive or abusive.

But when economic arrangements themselves become coercive and abusive, then political liberalism can coexist with, and indeed mask, a state of illiberalism and bondage. In the throes of personal challenges, lofty political ideals feel remote and irrelevant. All that people like Jane and others have the time or energy to register is a set of invisible oppressive economic forces that simply must be weathered because they are facts of nature. The result is a sort of ambient autocracy, where personal choices are increasingly dictated by forces that you had no say in creating and have no means of overthrowing.

You can hear the language and logic of this economic dictatorship everywhere. Tony Blair tells us that with an ageing population, a climate crisis, higher debt interest and an economic workforce increasingly constrained in its ability to seek services such as housing and healthcare outside the public sector, we should be ready to not wait

for the NHS and use private health providers for minor health matters, and that we should ultimately be “taxing less and spending less”.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves fixate on “growth” and “enterprise”, reneging on plans to put up income tax on higher incomes and refusing to impose a capital gains tax, so those whose income comes from that pot of earnings pay less tax than those whose money is earned from labour.

But, in fairness, it’s an accurate mantra for the State many are in. If things are difficult, tough. Because among those for whom things won’t be tough, enough political, media and economic capital has been generated to sponsor politicians’ austerity, and enable it to be branded as realistic truth telling. This, it strikes me, is not only a political choice, but a reneging on a historical deal, forged in the colossal upheavals of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and revolution in England, the US and Europe. The tradeoff was that we would lose the traditional supports and solaces of rural values and extended families, but become free from their prejudices and patriarchies, and the associated economic and political exploitations of a hierarchical system that was skewed to landowners, rent seekers and those imbued with authority because of where they were born in that hierarchy. Yes, we would be more prosperous, but more crucially we would also be free to choose how to live our lives.

“The only freedom which deserves the name,” wrote John Stuart Mill, “is that of pursuing our own good, in our own way, so long as

we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.”

That good is now increasingly limited to those who can afford it – who can purchase the liberty to love, leave and leisure, and the right to indulge in creative work and expression. The rest are caught in a halfway house between the old and new worlds.

I grew up in the old world and saw only its limitations, chafing against it and impatient for some individual autonomy. My mother had four children, working throughout her childbearing years as a school teacher, only able to go back to work because, with each child, a new family member would move in, or move back in, to help. They joined others who lived with us on and off over the years when they needed housing.

My parents were distant, but seemed to be broadly content figures, either at work or obscured by a blur of relatives they were constantly entertaining, feeding or cleaning up after in a gaggle of chat, laughter and gossip. The price for that mutual communal facilitation was paid in other ways – a violating lack of privacy and personal space, and a sense that everyone’s lives, in their most private and intimate detail, were the subject of others’ opinions and policing. It was a “gilded cage”, as it is called in Orientalist literature. In hindsight now, and in adulthood and parenthood, having experienced both in the new world, I can see that gilded cages come in many forms. Political freedoms are precious metal, but when they come with economic restraints, they are a shiny enclosure. (Excerpt from the Guardian)

An artistic impression of one of the recreational spaces that are being developed at Lonsdale & Brothers in Region Six (East-BerbiceCorentyne) under the Office of the First Lady's National Beautification Project

Our generation was told liberal economics would make us free. Look at us now. We were misled

Be circumspect about your choice of shipping company Unfair characterisation of PPP and Jagdeo

Dear Editor, I have always been one of those who strongly encourage industry and investment across our economic sectors, whether banking, animal husbandry or otherwise, as a means of increasing output, lowering costs, and increasing efficiency, with greater benefits for customers.

One of the sectors which remain severely challenged in this area, and could do with an immensely greater number and more efficient players, is the shipping sub-sector, which attempts to offer cheap and convenient shipping of small items for customers who can’t find what they need in Guyana. It has always been a real challenge to deal with the issues customers have in using them, and my general disposition with respect to the headaches they present has been to overlook their inefficiencies and sleight-of-hand pricing practices, and just be glad to have received my item.

My last and most recent frustration with the so-called shipping agent FreightLink Express, a self-styled logistics service provider, has been greatly exacerbated; to the point where, in the apparent absence of any regulatory authority to which consumers can turn, I feel that I should advise the general public so that they should be wary and more inquiring about whatever shipping service they consider.

My biggest and most frustrating issue with FreightLink is that Fedex

delivered a package to their Miami warehouse on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 4:05pm (Tracking Number: 781022730190 - Item was shown as delivered on Saturday, July 15, 2023), and even after numerous emails advising about this item, on a day like today, fully ten days after being delivered to their warehouse, they still can’t find the item in their system, and they can’t confirm that they have received the item.

Additionally, a few other packages delivered over the week-end of July 15-16 were unable to make it on either of their Monday or Wednesday flights last week, while packages delivered after mine on either Monday or Tuesday last week likely made it into the country, and were probably available for pickup last Friday. I am still waiting for the five or six packages delivered from July 15-16, which they said should be available this Thursday.

FreightLink’s counter staff initially informed and tried to engage me about some packages shipped to me other than that I sent to them when I visited them last week (I had to ask them to stick to the items I was inquiring about), and experienced difficulties talking about their warehouse staff in Miami, seriously raising doubts about the kind and scale of operation they are running over the US.

Because they don’t work on weekends (remember, this is a shipping company, quite strange for a company want-

ing to offer better and more efficient service to its customers), items arriving over the weekend are left with the nearby Post Office, and they do not go to clear these items with the Post Office, but instead wait for the Post Office to deliver the items whenever they are good and ready to do so.

Finally, with the exception of one other shipping company, FreightLink was quick to inform me that my shipping costs were based on the weight of items, but still included volume in their computation, in addition to charges excluding normal duties and VAT, which they themselves weren’t willing to spell out at the counter.

Persons should therefore seriously consider their alternatives, and/or get recommendations from friends or family when thinking about bringing in small items from abroad. The last thing they want is to have their package misplaced or belayed through negligence, as it seems in this case, in addition to deliberately vague shipping charges and staff who don’t know what is going on at their warehouses abroad, and as it relates to simple emails between customers and the company itself, because each customer service person apparently has their own email, without access to general email sent by customers.

Would I use FreightLink again? Never.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

Dear Editor, Political commentary in a newspaper with a national reach should have a strong evidentiary basis in support of sweeping claims. While one can appreciate that in the world of politics, anything is fair, the limits of the possible are quite stretched when there are unsupported accusations of corruption. In this context, I think Ubraj Narine owes the PPP a formal apology for the direct attack put forth in his letter in the media on July 24, 2023. Mr. Narine is also encouraged to review his mediocre performance as Mayor of Georgetown.

Ubraj Narine should also apologise to the people of Georgetown for the rude way he demitted office. Protocol and tradition are important things in good governance. Arrogance and contempt from an outgoing public official are performances of immaturity, and should not be tolerated.

Narine should also reflect on the inferior performance and legacy of his own tenure, and those of his comrades. The Auditor General Report found that “[f]rom 2006 to 2011, no financial statements were submitted; during the period of 2012 to 2015, financial statements were submitted, but the information required could not have allowed auditors to express an opinion; and no financial statements were submitted (from) 2016 to 2020.

In 2021, a special audit into M&CC revealed simi-

lar discrepancies” (Guyana Chronicle, 5/26/2021).

There are specific instances of warped governance by M&CC under Narine, evidenced in a $21 million solid waste contract that was not properly reviewed. According to a reliable report, “Mayor Narine openly declared that the Council ignored his request for an additional review of the figure and went ahead and endorsed the $21 million contract” (Ibid).

Narine’s explanation for not examining the contract, as is required by standard operating procedures, is that “…he and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke, had to leave the country…” (April 1, 2023).

What Ubraj Narine fails to state is that, without PPP support, Georgetown would have been in a much deeper state of disrepair and drudgery. Between 2016 and 2019, City Hall received $1 billion from the Central Government under the Georgetown Restoration Programme. “Under the GRP, City Hall had received incremental disbursements of $300 million in 2015, $200 million in 2016, $200 million in 2018, and $300 million in 2019. The funds were disbursed by the now disbanded Ministry of Communities under the former APNU+AFC administration, which was in office from 2015 – 2020” (Ibid).

Ubraj Narine’s direct attacks on the Vice President make him part of an industry dedicated to

ruining the domestic and international prestige of Jagdeo. Jagdeo was a brilliant president who was the essential force behind the Low Carbon Development Strategy. The revised 2023 version under President Irfaan Ali has given innovative ideas, life, and momentum to what was already a path-breaking set of development innovations.

Let us recall that under the PPP/C, Guyana signed the first ever bilateral avoided deforestation deal (with Norway) to the tune of US$250 million. That was under Jagdeo. And only recently, Guyana signed the first deal within the ART-TREES framework for US$750 million. 15% of those funds are being distributed to over 240 Indigenous/Amerindian communities in Guyana.

Despite the externally driven cost-push inflation, the shortage of skilled labour, and the backward-bending mentality of those like Ubraj Narine, this country is on the rise. Morality and justice can surely be found in uplifting the lives of the Guyanese people, regardless of race, class, religion or region. This is happening at an accelerated pace now. Narine is welcome to join this effort. By so doing, he may be able to extract some measure of badly needed professional and moral recompense.

Sincerely,

Dr Randolph Persaud

Page Foundation

Rates

Sometimes, you will be asked to solve a problem about rates. A rate is a fixed ratio between things. For example: Margot drives at a rate of 50 kilometres per hour. How many hours does it take her to drive 75 kilometres? Notice this is really a proportion problem.

Example

Soil is a natural body comprised of solids (minerals and organic matter), liquid, and gases that occurs on

the land surface, occupies space, and is characterised by one or both of the following: horizons, or layers, that

are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers, and transformations of energy and matter or the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment.

The upper limit of soil is the boundary between soil and air, shallow water, live plants, or plant materials that have not begun to decompose. Areas are not considered to have soil if the surface is permanently covered by water too deep (typically more than 2.5 meters) for the growth of rooted plants.

The lower boundary that separates soil from the nonsoil underneath is most difficult to define. Soil consists of horizons near the Earth's surface that, in contrast to the underlying parent material, have been altered by the interactions of climate, relief, and living organisms over time. Commonly, soil grades at its lower boundary to hard rock or to earthy materials virtually devoid of animals, roots, or other marks of biological activity.

Colour the soil profile

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Full many a glorious morning have I seen Flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, Kissing with golden face the meadows green, Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy; Anon permit the basest clouds to ride With ugly rack on his celestial face And from the forlorn world his visage hide, Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace. Even so my sun one early morn did shine With all-triumphant splendour on my brow; But out, alack! he was but one hour mine; The region cloud hath mask'd him from me now. Yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth; Suns of the world may stain when heaven's sun staineth.

WORD SEARCH

Caricom Private Sector body praises Guyana for slashing interest rates for poultry farmers

– says Region can benefit if other countries follow suit

troduce similar measures in accordance with their financial circumstances.”

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s efforts to have banks slash interest rates for loans to poultry farmers have attracted praise not only from the local Private Sector but from the Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) as well.

The CPSO released a statement in which it applauded the move to slash interest rates by three per cent. It was pointed out by the CPSO that poultry meat is one of 19 agri-food commodities that are vital to the goals of slashing food import bills to the Region by 25 per cent by 2025.

According to the group, extra-regional imports of poultry meat into Caricom markets are valued at a

whopping US$149 million annually. Guyana’s initiatives address critical issues for poultry farmers, such as the cost of finance and feed, thereby paving the way for increased production in Guyana and thus, the Region. But to do this will require reforms – one of which CPSO proposed was a Caricom-wide- tariff rate.

“The initiatives announced by President [Irfaan] Ali are, therefore, concrete steps towards meeting these requirements. In addition to much-needed domestic policy support, the most critical ‘policy shift’ that remains is for Caricom Member States to create or allow the emergence of a ‘genuine single regional market’ for poultry meat,

that provides equal market access by all poultry meat producers to all CSME markets,” the CPSO said.

“Relative comparisons of the market access for poultry meat imports into the Caricom Member States demonstrate wide variations in the Common External Tariff (CET) and market access. According to the CPSO’s work, such variations in the import market access among Member States highlight the scope for the possible introduction of a Caricomwide Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) regime, underpinned by a harmonised CET.”

Additionally, the CPSO noted the importance of removing the remaining NonTariff Barriers (NTBs), and adhering to a Caricom Poultry Standard and a Caricom Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) regime. The CPSO said that based on their projections, Caricom Members could substantially reduce extra-regional imports of food if they introduced a TRQ regime for poultry meat and intra-regional imports under these conditions.

“The announcement by President Ali of interest rate reductions to poultry farmers and expansion in crop production as an adjunct to poultry feed, positions Guyana and other Caricom producers to potentially become ‘net exporters’ of poultry meat to Caricom markets within

the construct of a harmonised Caricom single market for poultry meat,” the CPSO said.

It went on to note that Guyana, along with Belize, already maintains low levels of poultry meat imports.

Guyana’s announcement is also timely considering the food insecurity already confronting 57 per cent of Caricom’s population and the increasing challenges to the global food supply chain. It also noted the merits of other countries following suit.

“In endorsing the significance of the announcement by President Ali as Lead Head with responsibility for Agriculture, the CPSO recognises the acceleration in the pace of extra-regional import displacement that could occur, if other Caricom Member States in-

“The initiatives announced for Guyana can also spur closer collaboration and ‘scaling-up’ among the regional poultry industry, particularly Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, among others,” CPSO said. Over the weekend, during a meeting with stakeholders in the poultry sector at State House, President Ali had announced that his Government has managed to broker the reduction of interest rates on loans to poultry farmers from eight per cent to five per cent. According to him, at least four commercial banks in Guyana have agreed to reduce their interest rates on loans to poultry farmers/ operators.

This means that small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers are expected to benefit from this three per cent lowering of the interest rate. He went on to add that poultry farmers and operators with existing loans at these four banks would also benefit from this new lowered interest rate from next month. The four banks are Citizens Bank, Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

President Dr Irfaan Ali while he made his announcement

CPSO Chairman Gervase Warner

Businessman Gavin Blackman of Kitty, Georgetown, who five years ago had been charged with trafficking 2.4 pounds of cocaine, has been set free by Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty on Friday last.

After conducting a lengthy trial, the Principal Magistrate found the 42-yearold Blackman not guilty of the drug-trafficking charge brought against him by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU); whose case was that the businessman had been under CANU investigation for some time, and that he had been trailed to his friend’s house on the day in question.

CANU had contended that at around 09:30h on May 4, 2018, Gavin Blackman had been seen visiting his friend’s home at Lot 2 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown with a black plastic bag in his possession. He was called upon by a rank, but he ran, and was seen throwing the black plastic bag into his friend’s house. When the bag was retrieved and searched, cocaine was found inside, and Blackman was therefore arrested and charged.

CANU had further contended that when Blackman was arrested, $880,000 that he had in his possession were seized, as was his car.

However, Blackman’s lawyer Siand Dhurjon argued that a CANU officer had found in a neighbour’s yard a black plastic bag similar to the one Blackman had thrown into his friend’s house. In that bag, the ranks discovered a bricklike object which tested positive for cocaine during a field test conducted by an officer.

Dhurjon contended that CANU agents had found nothing illegal during their thorough search of his client, and had similarly found nothing incriminating inside the house where the bag had been thrown. As such, he argued, there had been nothing nefarious about the parcel seen in Blackman’s possession, as it was “a most gener-

ic and unremarkable black plastic bag.”

Further, Dhurjon said his client was never even duty bound to stop when the CANU officers, who had not been dressed in uniform, had merely screamed the words “CANU, don’t move!” as CANU is “an entity unknown to statute”.

“When reflecting on the evidence during Friday’s hearing, the Magistrate remarked that she ‘did not want to speculate’, and could not make the conclusion that the bag found in the yard originated from Mr Gavin

Blackman, since there was a lack of evidence,” Dhurjon said.

Kitty businessman cleared of drug-trafficking charge Justice …for

During the trial, he said, he had submitted that the very house that CANU officers raided and intercepted Blackman had been raided several times in the past, as recently as August 2022.

Blackman, who had been out on $600,000 bail pending his trial, remarked in an invited comment that he is pleased that justice has been served, and that he is taking all steps possible to steer clear of the wrong side of the law.

Couple charged with stealing $76M in raw gold

Ayoung couple has been arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on a charge of stealing almost $77 million worth of raw gold.

Anjali Singh-Mangal, a 22-year-old nurse, and her

women

Your Eyewitness takes this matter of violence against females very seriously. It’s long past the time to be pussyfooting around the issue. From the newspapers, it’s clear that no category of female is sacrosanct - rich, poor, black, white, (and every combination and permutation of in-between shades) etc. What this signals, of course, is that the problem ain’t just a result of idiosyncratic males, but a systemic problem in males as a category.

And a systemic problem needs a systemic solution - and then we can hone in on the outliers who’ll always crop up. Now, this problem has been here with us as far back as we can tell - probably all the way back to the Cave Man days. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Even when they were “hunting and gathering”, the men - being bigger - had an advantage, and it’s inconceivable they wouldn’t have taken advantage of that disparity.

And it’s been that way ever since…to a point where women would’ve seen it as “just the way things are”. But, in the last hundred years, we’ve come a long way…haven’t we? There’s been a gradual acceptance that all human beings are intrinsically equal - and should be treated equally. The fact that some might be bigger, smarter, or taller shouldn’t - in and of itself - be used to treat anyone as a punching bag. And this is where we come to this thing we invented called “the state”, that’s supposed to make and enforce laws to ensure equality of treatment for all.

The problem was, the laws themselves were skewed against women - not surprisingly, since they were made generally by men! It was a long grind for women to join that exclusive club, but there’s been some progress. But to return to the question posed earlier, the answer is, “No, we still have quite a way to go as far as women being treated equally!” So, the struggle continues; and continue it must because, you see, dear reader, unless women are treated equally everywhere, no one will be treated equally anywhere…whether you’re male, LGBT, coloured, or whatever.

husband Rohan Mangal, a 25-year-old bus driver, both residents of Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Monday to answer an allegation detailing that, between

And we arrive at one specific instance in which the rule can be tested - intimate partner violence (IPV) - with women at the receiving end and what’s being done about it. According to recent UN data, IPV is pervasive in Guyana; so much so that more than half of the women in relationships - across racial and socioeconomic lines - report it!! Yet, in 2020, while there were 1672 reports of domestic violence, only 893 cases were filed and 112 convictions secured!!

Looks like the deck’s still stacked against women!!

…and PNC in Parliament

The PNC’s whining (not to mention “winning” in Parliament!) about what the PPP is and isn’t doing in Government. THEY, of course, had led Guyana between 2015 and 2020 to the land of milk and honey! And the PPP has just as obviously shown - in the three years since it held off the PNC from rigging their way back into officethat it’s determined to prevent the PNC from destroying our parliamentary democracy.

But what bothers your Eyewitness is that the PNC aren’t using ANY of the available mechanisms to assert their power in Parliament to upstage and possibly oust the PPP from power. Now, you might say they don’t have the votes to outvote the PPP. But if they do their research, they can show - with “chapter, verse and numbers” - where the PPP might be clueless, rather than screaming about “creeping apartheid”!!

September 1, 2022 and July 19, 2023, at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, they stole 208 ounces of raw gold, valued at $76,960,000 and belonging to Deepak Persaud.

Represented by Attorneyat-Law Bernard Da Silva, they each pleaded not guilty to the allegation, and were each placed on $1.5 million bail.

The case has been adjourned to August 14 for the prosecutor to report on the status of the investigation.

Or they can use half of the Sectoral Committees they Chair to summon any Minister of Bureaucrat to query them on programmes and projects being executed in real-time!!

Rather than just kvetch!

…in Cricket

In case you didn’t realize it, today’s cricket is big business. BIG, BIG BUSINESS! With all the US hype and chutzpah, did you realize that Cricket in India alone pulls in more revenue annually than American Major League Baseball? Take that!!

Gavin Blackman, called “Boyley”

Anjali Singh-Mangal

Rohan Mangal

Guyana among 19 countries to join Global Biofuels Alliance

– as India leads initiative to expand biofuels as low-carbon alternative

Renewable Energy Agency; World Bank; World Biogas Association, and World Economic Forum, were also part of the event and welcomed the initiative.

Meanwhile, India’s Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted the importance of this project reaching the people.

Biofuels, fuel derived from organic matter, has long been touted as a viable alternative to fossil fuels as an energy source.

It has now received a boost with the formation of a “Global Biofuels Alliance”, led by India, with Guyana among 19 other countries which are joining the alliance as initiating members.

During the Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting, a standalone event on Consultations and Recommendations, the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was organised in Goa, India on Saturday. At the event, strong support was received from countries within and beyond the G20 nations.

“Nineteen countries expressed their interest in being the initiating members of the alliance with 15 countries and nine international organisations attending the event. This signifies a

momentous step forward in advancing the development and deployment of biofuels through a multi-stakeholder global alliance,” a statement from the Indian High Commission said.

During the GBA event, the Energy Ministers of 13 countries and Heads of nine international organisations participated. They include India, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Guyana, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Paraguay, Seychelles, the United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uganda. Guyana was represented by its acting Chargé d'Affaires, based at the High Commission of Guyana in New Delhi.

However, international organisations such as the Biofuture Platform; International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); International Energy Agency (IEA); International Energy Forum (IEF); International

“True success of Global Biofuels Alliance will depend on moving this project from a project of the Government to the project of the people. The vision of PM Shri Narendra Modi is giving renewed thrust to collaborative efforts & knowledge sharing in the world’s green energy journey,” an Indian Oil Ministry statement quoted Singh Puri as saying after consultations within the Alliance.

During the meeting, several countries including Brazil, Italy, Kenya, and UAE highlighted the importance of sharing best practices across policy, technology, and implementation.

The forum recognised that overcoming challenges such as feedstock management, standards development, technological innovations require a collaborative approach and as such, welcomed the initiative by the Indian Presidency to move towards the creation of the global alliance.

Ministers from several other countries also highlighted the appeal of biofuels as a low-carbon pathway, while underscoring the critical necessity for engaging in clean energy ini-

tiatives. The leaders highlighted that despite the huge potential of biofuels as an important low-carbon pathway to development, several challenges continue to hinder their adoption.

Support was forthcoming from the United States, with Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, remarking that the US recognizes the establishment of a Global Biofuels Alliance as a critical step in their biofuels journey and that they look forward to moving from "test tube to test drive and field to fuels”.

Meanwhile, Minister of State of Mines and Energy in Brazil, Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira, highlighted that multiple forms of energy will be required to meet sustainable energy needs. In this context, he

reinforced the importance of the alliance.

Further, international organisations such as IEA and IEF emphasised the expansive potential of biofuels for other countries and highlighted the importance of standardisation, waste recycling, and investments to build on the untapped potential.

The World Biogas Association highlighted that only two per cent of waste is being recycled currently and the absence of recycling for consumable products is contributing to methane emissions. The international organisations also enunciated how they look forward to supporting the alliance.

The Forum recognised that overcoming challenges such as feedstock man-

agement, standards development, and technological innovations requires a collaborative approach and welcomed the initiative by the Indian Presidency to create the global alliance. There was also an exhibition to trace the evolution of biofuels from ancient times to the present era. An "interactive wall" detailed processes through which biofuels are manufactured along with a display of various feedstocks. The exhibition also featured an ethanol cookstove, while technological models showcasing the production processes of 2G Ethanol, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, CBG & Biodiesel Green Energy gave a glimpse into a sustainable future powered by biofuels.

A section of the attendees during the conference

Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

GTT Business Solutions to sponsor 30 booths at Small Business Expo

GTT Business Solutions is partnering with the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) to stage the second edition of the National Small Business Week (NSBW), slated for July 29 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

NSBW aims to celebrate the invaluable contributions of small businesses in driving economic growth and fostering innovation in Guyana, and GTT will carefully select 30 businesses that currently benefit from its Connex suite of services and GTT’s Business Plan to provide them with this platform to showcase their products and services, and to connect with potential customers.

GTT remains committed to providing dependable, value-for-money telecommunication and internet services for small businesses, and is continuously working to cultivate an environment in which business relationships can flourish in the long run.

It is on this ground that the company has delivered on its pledges made during the last NSBW:- to improve

international communication with stakeholders, offer greater value, and promote entrepreneurship countrywide.

“Small businesses are encouraged to take advantage of our plans, or speak with one of our agents to find a plan that best suits their

business needs. Last year’s NSBW Expo witnessed the participation of more than 40 businesses, all leveraging the platform to showcase their products and services. This year, GTT Business Solutions is excited to once again collaborate with GCCI to provide small business-

es a platform that not only enables them to effectively promote their businesses, but also facilitates knowledge-sharing among participants regarding the latest business trends and strategies for expanding their consumer base”, the company has said.

Ghana’s Afropop musician “Stonebwoy” to perform in Guyana

Ghanaian Afropop, reggae, and dancehall music superstar Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known by his stage name “Stonebwoy”, is set to perform in a grand Emancipation Day concert at the National Park in Guyana on August 1.

The initiative is being organised by the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA), and the concert will also feature Jamaica’s Morgan Heritage, a Grammy Award-winning Jamaican reggae band, alongside local performers.

Featured artiste Stonebwoy has established a name for himself in the music industry, and has since secured himself award wins in the category of Best International Act from BET, and in the category of Artist of the Year in the Ghana Music Awards, both having occurred in 2015. With these accomplishments, Stonebwoy has used his talent to become a modern-day activist and philanthropist who is dedicated to the betterment of his people.

ACDA spokesperson Aisha Haynes has told Guyana Times that

a unique highlight of local talents can be expected at this year’s celebrations. Pre-emancipation activities would include the African Street theatre on Main Street Avenue and an Emancipation Spiritual Tribute for the 1823 Bicentennial Martyrs on July 31.

On August 1, there will be the Chef Cook-Up Competition hosted by Ansa McAl Trading Limited at the National Park. And patrons can expect to hear poetry and see live acrobatics and other performances, such as folklore skits. Moreover, there will be a best-dressed competition.

The ribbon-cutting ceremonial opening of the National Small Business Week 2022. From the L-R are: Damian Blackburn of the GTT; Timothy Tucker, Immediate Past President of the GCCI; the Honourable Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce; Orsen Ferguson, Chief Operations Officer of GTT Business Solutions; and Dr Rosh Khan, Chairman of the National Small Business Week

Livingstone “Stonebwoy” Etse Satekla

Delays in mental evaluation of prisoners lead to cases being dropped – Court Superintendent

Criminal proceedings in Guyana are halted if the defendant is determined to be unfit to stand trial, and courts do not proceed unless the individual’s mental state has been evaluated.

At a recent symposium held by the Police Force, Chief Court Prosecutor for Regional Division 4 (A), Police Superintendent Shellon Daniels, pointed out that persons with mental illness are coming into the criminal justice system, but their needs are often being missed.

Despite being on the frontline, she said, most Police ranks are not trained to deal with persons with mental health problems. She also pointed out that, in keeping with their protocols, the arrest is made to institute the necessary charges without having those arrested mentally examined by a doctor

“Most times, these cases are filed before the court and then the evaluation of these persons is sought, either by the defence; well, most of the time, the prosecution would not make those applications, or the court would order that the accused persons be sent for an evaluation,” she pointed out.

While calling out the broken system used for sharing information between agencies, which results in the delay in prosecuting matters, she spoke of the challenges faced by Police prosecutors.

“Some of the challenges faced are the lengthy delay in having the defendant or accused persons evaluated by the psychiatrist…lengthy delays in having those evaluation reports prepared and reach the courts in a timely manner,” she told those gathered.

At this stage, Daniels noted that a decision has to be made on where the person would be kept. “Now, he has already passed through the

court. Once he is before the court, the court’s duty is to remand that person to prison. And what I would normally ask is for the court to endorse the warrant ordering that he be examined by the psychiatrist.”

According to her, a psychiatrist would usually visit the prisons once per week, or sometimes twice per month, to hold sessions with inmates suffering from mental illness. However, in the absence of those visits, the prisoner would return to the court without receiving treatment.

Daniels has been tracking how often charges are dismissed/discharged because of the problems she referred

to earlier. She alluded to instances where Police prosecutors have been “running up and down” to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Psychiatric Department to uplift psychiatric reports on defendants. With this back and forth, the prosecutor would usually request that the matter be adjourned. According to her, when the magistrate is “fed up tolerating” the Police on adjournments, the matter is either dismissed or

discharged, resulting in the complainant not receiving justice.

The defendant is then released from prison, and goes back into the public and continues to perpetrate similar crimes, or even more serious offences, she noted. She said that after the dismissal, some of these mentally-ill persons are arrested again, accused of beating strangers, breaking windshields, and even murder.

When this occurs, she added, “The Police get the blame.”

In concluding her presentation, Daniels expressed happiness that there has been an increase in the complement of psychiatrists, but urged that psychiatric reports be completed in a timely manner, so that prosecutors could determine early whether they would proceed with charges. (Feona

Morrison)

...says defendants often released without stabilising care

Police Superintendent Shellon Daniels

Leguan Ferry Stelling for August completion – Edghill

Works on the Leguan Stelling are close to completion and the entire project is expected to be wrapped up next month.

This was according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday that the remaining works would be completed shortly, noting that “the light is at the end of the tunnel now”.

The Minister said the

last set of concrete casting of the northern section of the Stelling was completed on Saturday. “The entire deck for the Stelling is now cast,” he relayed.

The modern linkspan bridge that will facilitate the embarking and disembarking of passengers and vehicles between the Stelling and ferry has already been manufactured. This is slated to be transported to the site and assembled shortly.

The remaining works

also include the installation of lights and guard rails around the Stelling.

“This will be wrapped

up no later than one month. I wanted this Stelling to be completed since 2020 but… we are wrapping up,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, the project undertaken by S Maraj Contracting Service consists of two components

geared at achieving the complete rehabilitation of the timber structure, and the expansion of the Stelling platform, through the construction of the reinforced concrete Stelling that will be adjacent and adjoining to the existing

structure.

All of the rehabilitation works on the existing timber carriageway have been completed and that work involved the replacement of deteriorated foundation piles.

The new reinforced concrete section of the Stelling was constructed on 228 prestressed concrete piles and will measure some 160 by 130 ft.

These components will significantly contribute to the seamless connection between the island of Leguan and Georgetown, as they will improve accessibility, streamline transportation, and create opportunities for economic growth and development in the Region.

Work being done on the Leguan Stelling

‘Cut Rose’ project rakes in $4M in 1st half of 2023

President Dr Irfaan

Ali’s ‘Cut Rose’ project, which was conceptualised to create employment for single parents, continues to make significant progress and has earned over $4 million for the first half of 2023.

The project’s production continues to increase with 12,067 roses harvested as of June 2023, with a weekly projection of approximately 500 roses.

This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Minister Mustapha explained that the project contributes to the income of single parents by enhancing their livelihoods.

The implementation of the projects saw more flowers being grown locally, reducing the demand for imports.

“When we started it, many people thought that this will not be successful. Today, we have a lot of young, single mothers who are getting help from this project in terms of purchasing roses at a very low

cost and selling it back,” Minister Mustapha stated.

The project is being carried out by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

“I think when you look at it now, we are expanding. For example, in government services, bouquets and other gifts come from

the cut rose project. We are supplying and giving free roses to a number of areas. This project will help a lot

of single parents in the future. We have scope for expansion,” the Agriculture Minister noted.

The project is expected to reduce rose imports by 30 per cent by the end of 2023.

"Let's Talk Guyana" mental health campaign launched

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) recently hosted a lecture focused on strategies, techniques and tools to enhance the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of persons requiring mental health support in Guyana, and the official launch of the "Let's Talk Guyana" mental health campaign.

The CME lecture brought together esteemed experts in the mental health field and empha -

country. He also addressed the country's high suicide rates, emphasizing the link between mental illness (especially depression) and suicide.

In addition, the minister pointed to recent legislation supporting Government's mental health agenda, including the new Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Suicide Prevention Act, which both prioritise the rights of mental health patients, replacing outdated laws and

The High Commissioner has praised the Government of Guyana, particularly the Health Ministry led by Dr Frank Anthony, for its sustained efforts in addressing mental health through collaborations with local and international partners. Further, he highlighted Canada’s support in Guyana’s mental health initiatives, including through the SPAR project and the use of social media platforms for advocacy.

sized the importance of addressing mental health concerns, effectively promoting an open dialogue about mental health issues in society and training healthcare professionals to better support those in need.

The "Let's Talk Guyana" campaign which was held alongside the CME lecture is a nationwide initiative with a primary focus on combating mental health stigma and discrimination that persists in association with mental health disorders. The campaign seeks to provide vital information on various mental health issues and support mechanisms available in Guyana, encouraging individuals experiencing ill-mental health to seek help and support.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, during his address, underscored Government's commitment to prioritizing mental health initiatives and improving access to mental health services in the

shifting towards a more holistic care approach, rather than institutionalisation.

Canadian High Commissioner Mark Berman, who also attended the event, provided insight on the importance of international collaboration in addressing mental health challenges and Canada’s ongoing commitment and efforts to strengthen ties with the Government to advance the development of Guyanese. He emphasized that mental health has significant global impacts, including in Canada. Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness yearly, and by age 40, 1 in 2 Canadians faces mental health challenges.

Certain facts apply universally, such as higher mental illness rates in young people aged 15-24, and prevalence of different mental disorders between men and women. Mental and physical health are closely linked, with chronic illness increasing the likelihood of mood disorders.

The opening session also featured remarks from IDRF CEO Mahmood Qasim and Dr. Melissa Mc Donald of the Medical Council of Guyana. The presenters at the CME lecture were Psychiatrist Dr. Davendra Sharma, renowned for his expertise and dedication to mental health care; and Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, Dean of TAU and a renowned Public Health Specialist. The event also featured pharmaceutical companies which were given opportunity to showcase their products and the unique services they offer to the Guyanese population.

The CME lecture and launch of the "Let's Talk Guyana" campaign is a landmark event in the effort to improve mental health support in Guyana. By initiating open conversations, raising awareness and fostering understanding about mental health, the campaign aims to break the barriers that hinder individuals from seeking the help they deserve.

High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Mark Berman

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

IDRF CEO Mahmood Qasim

Massy’s pharmaceutical booth

Remains of missing Guyanese accountant in TT found buried

number PEC 735.

The car was spotted several times in certain areas in the twin island republic but there were no signs of the now dead man.

However, as reported in the Trinidad Express, the Police in Trinidad and Tobago have found the remains of Guyanese accountant Reagan Reece which were later confirmed to him by relatives on Monday.

Guyana’s first eco-lodge centre for September opening

Construction of Guyana’s first urban eco-lodge centre is expected to be completed before the first match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is played in Guyana.

This was announced by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali last week, when he engaged the media on the sidelines of a recent road inspection.

Ali said the project, which was launched in partnership with 100 women, will feature 30 eco-lodges along the Eccles to Diamond Highway, which is currently under construction.

The remains of missing Guyanese accountant, Reagan Reece were found in a grave at Arouca, a short distance from the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad.

Reece, 45, went missing about six weeks ago. He was last seen at a barber shop at the Lapinot Junction decked in a pair of black three-quarter pants, a black T-shirt, and black sneakers and was driving his Hyundai Tucson motorcar bearing registration

According to media reports, the discovery was made after Police investigators acted on a tip. The Express stated that the remains were found in a grave close to a shack, and was covered with wooden boards.

The body was found wrapped in plastic and investigators recognised a tattoo on the chest area of the body.

Following his disappearance, the Hunters Search and Rescue team in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago anti-kidnapping Unit suspected that Reece may have been abducted and later murdered. Police are continuing their investigations.

“We’re going to launch before CPL. I launched this programme with 100 women. We’re going to launch the first urban eco center, where they’ll have thirty wooden eco-lodges and we’re hoping to have this complete,” the Head of State said.

Earlier this year, during the Tourism and Hospitality Association President’s Awards Dinner and Auction, the President had revealed that this initiative serves to bring about partnerships between Guyanese.

“The project is to develop the first urban eco-lodge owned by 100 percent women, built with 100 percent local products, furnished and cultured. And the challenge is for them to get this ready by CPL 2023. And we’re going to demonstrate to Guyana that these women

PEPS launches corporate security consultancy division

Praetorian Executive Protection Services Inc. (PEPS) recently introduced its new division, Corporate Security Consultancy (CSC), which focuses mainly on providing a range of advisory services, including corporate investigations, risk analysis, asset recovery, and enterprise risk assessments.

Since its establishment in 2018, PEPS, a Guyaneseowned security services company with headquarters in Georgetown, has successfully operated three divisions - Executive Protection, Static Guarding, and First Aid Training. With addition of the CSC division, PEPS has further enhanced its service portfolio to meet the evolving security needs of its diverse clientele.

The company has successfully executed projects in the Caribbean regional from Trinidad and Tobago

to Mexico, showcasing its expertise and expanding its footprint across borders.

Backed by an exceptional leadership team with extensive military background, PEPS is committed to offering the highest quality of advisory services.

PEPS’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dallas

Thomas leads the organization, alongside Melissa Vieira, a former US Air Force veteran with 20 years of experience, and Terrence Hubbard, a US Marine veteran.

Thomas has said, "The competitiveness of Guyana's rapidly changing economy is undergoing significant transformation. With this comes a rise in corporate espionage and theft of intellectual property. Companies can mitigate these risks by leveraging PEPS' Corporate Security Consultancy Services to advise them on how to navigate and de-risk themselves of these threats”.

Meanwhile, organisations across various sectors, including telecommunications, oil & gas, and investment firms, are invited to leverage the advisory services of the CSC division.

have the capacity and capability to deliver this project,” the President had shared.

He added, “We, in this country, must learn that the scale of opportunity no longer allows us to operate in silos. We can’t do it alone. We’re not competing against each other; we are competing for each other, to give us all, as Guyanese, a place in the market.”

In February of this year, President Ali announced that Government

would be embarking on its first eco-friendly, luxurious wooden homes settlement in Guyana, where those desirous would be able to reside.

The lodge centre is set to contain an exotic blend of natural landscaping and modern architecture. Not only would the settlement be constructed using 100 per cent Guyanese timber and labour, but would feature trees sourced from Guyana’s forests to give its residents a full countryside living ex-

perience.

“This is another initiative that we will promote in the niche market of luxury. Wood is not cheap. Sometimes we have an illusion that wood is for the poor. We make wood affordable in Guyana,” President Ali had pointed out. Through collaboration between Government and local companies, construction of the new settlement would soon begin.

Dallas Thomas, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PEPS

An eco-lodge at Hampshire

Dead Guyanese accountant, Reagan Reece

Guyana to begin dengue virus serotyping as cases increase – Dr Ramsammy

The Health Ministry will soon be able to serotype cases of the dengue virus in Guyana, according to health advisor Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during the opening of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulation Voluntary External Evaluation on Monday.

According to Ramsammy by Friday the ministry should be able to serotype these cases. “I am encouraged by the fact that by Friday of this week…we will be able to begin serotyping the dengue cases in Guyana.”

He noted that in all ten regions across the country Guyana, there is rapid testing for dengue now available, adding that this improved the dengue intelligence of the country.

Ramsammy also highlighted that from 2000 to date, there has been a significant rise in dengue cases which represents more than 1000 per cent. “The dengue has been increasing, not just the last few months, this region has seen a phenomenal rise in dengue in recent times.”

“Globally, dengue from

[the year] 2000 to now has increased by more than 1000 per cent. From around 500,000 recorded cases annually to now more than five million, and even with the limited reports that we are gathering in 2023 we are going to exceed that 5.2 million easily this year,” Ramsammy said.

The former Health Minister anticipated that the Americas will have the highest number of recorded dengue cases this year, as he noted that cases have almost surpassed those that were recorded in 2022.

“The Americas will

have the highest ever recorded dengue cases in 2023. It is already almost surpassed 2022, but none of us in this room, and none of us in any ministry of health in this region, could say for certain that we know the exact extent of the dengue problem that we are confronting today,” Ramsammy said.

According to recent statistics, the ministry has recorded a total of 317 cases of dengue fever in Guyana in just last week as many countries in South America have recorded a substantial increase in cases.

Based on local records, the country records an average of about 80 cas -

es weekly, with a majority of those cases being recorded in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

It was reported in other sections of the media that last week the WHO warned that cases of dengue fever could reach record highs this year, partly due to global warming which is providing more

conducive conditions for dengue-spreading mosquitoes, the Aedes species.

The WHO says reported cases of the disease, which causes fever and muscle pain, represent just a fraction of the total number of global infections since most cases are asymptomatic. It is fatal in less than 1% of people.

Because of these concerns, the Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony has advised people to avoid stag -

nant water and destroy breeding places for mosquitos. He assured citizens that the relevant authorities have the capacity to deal with any hospitalised patients.

He added that daily surveillance has been increased and some 15,000 test kits were delivered across all the regions, and new guidelines on treatment and presentation have been updated.

Works on ECD Railway Embankment to be done during non-peak hours – Edghill

…assures residents of no major traffic disruptions

Adetailed traffic management plan has been outlined as Phase Two of the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Road Widening and Improvement Project commences, to prevent major disruption.

A community stakeholder consultation meeting was recently led by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and they were updated on the scope of works and necessary relocation.

The works span from Annandale to Mahaica/ Embankment Road and Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau. While construction will be scheduled during non-peak hours, specific action was taken for urban and business zones.

According to the Minister, residents must be updated on the scope of the project which allows them to observe if what is being done is in accordance with the work programme.

Currently, the road does not allow for the free flow of traffic when public transpor-

tation stops for commuters, causing a buildup in traffic. A development boom in infrastructure and housing resulted in much need for the widening, Minister Edghill told residents.

“With the road being widened, buses would be able to stop and you would still be able to have a lane continuing going east and a lane going west because the traffic will continue to flow. There are more housing developments that are coming to the East Coast and Enmore is being developed into an industrial zone…We can’t do that on the small roads that we had.”

Cognisant of the fact that vendors along the Embankment will have to be relocated soon, he called on them to cooperate with authorities so that they could be properly accommodated at a new location and continue plying their trade.

“We are conscious that there are people who have established small business on the reserves and the reserve is what we’re using to

bring about the expansion. The answer is yes, you will have to move for the road to go through. But in consultations and engagements like this, we will work to get you properly accommodated in a safe way so that you can continue the business.”

He added, “What is required is cooperation. It means you understand what we’re trying to do, we understand your plights, challenges, and difficulties; and we find how we can get the project going and make sure your life and livelihood are not interrupted unjustly.”

Work has started in areas where there are no encumbrances while the Ministry works on ironing out issues regarding the relocation of vendors and other stakeholder’s meetings.

The project is pegged at $192.3 million and was awarded to China Railway First Group Incorporated. The construction period is expected to last 25 months. The Railway Embankment runs parallel to the Rupert Craig Highway.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill addressing stakeholders during consultations

Health Advisor Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

PAHO/WHO to assess Guyana’s progress in achieving int’l health regulations

The first WHO International Health Regulations Voluntary External Evaluation (IHR VEE) to be done locally is expected to provide an international assessment of health regulation across Guyana.

The assessment - which will be conducted during the week – would be conducted in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) using the State Party SelfAssessment Annual Report

(SPAR). At the launch on Monday, Team Lead for the IHR mission, Dr Marlo Libel, disclosed, “Our purpose is to make sure that the Guyanese experts are able to tell us what really is the situation, and how you’d like to address it. It’s a joint effort, and that should be the main purpose of our work.”

The assessment will measure the national progress in achieving 15 IHR core capacities, spanning surveillance, health emergency

management and financing, among other things. PAHO/ WHO Representative Dr Luis Codina highlighted, “The case is to discuss the gaps, and with that see the future and how can we develop to manage better all the areas… Sometimes the results are not what we expected. It’s normal. This is not the most important focus. The perception of the gaps and challenges for the future should encourage us to change the things that should be changed and discouraged beyond politics.”

The IHR is an instrument of international law that is legally binding on 196 countries, including the 194 WHO Member States. The IHR grew out of the response to deadly epidemics that once overran Europe. They create rights and obligations for countries, including the requirement to report public health events. The Regulations also outline the criteria to determine whether or not a particular event constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern”.

By Friday, a report on the gaps and recommendations to bridge those

will be presented by the team. Representatives of the Agriculture Ministry and the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, which work closely with the healthcare sector, were also represented on Monday.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Advisor to the Health Minister, has said that the evaluation can provide the much-needed solutions on the way forward. He added that Guyana can become the premiere provider of health services to the entire South American region, but noted it is necessary that all areas that may need im-

provement, such as disease control, are prioritised.

“We are trying to ensure that we fully implement all the core capacities to build health intelligence, so that we are better prepared to deal with the existential threats that threaten our country and countries around the world, such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance,” Dr Ramsammy said.

He added, “To Guyana’s credit, IHR has occupied a prominent place in our planning. It doesn’t mean that we are at a satisfactory place.”

Chenapau village to improve livelihood with several developmental projects

Chenapau, an Amerindian village in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), is advancing its development by utilising funds provided by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry through the Presidential Grants programme and the Economic Investment Fund.

Subject Minister

Pauline Sukhai recently inspected some of the projects being undertaken by the Chenapau Village Council, and has expressed satisfaction with the pace

of work. Among the projects are a village guest house that is being constructed with funds from the Presidential Grant which is provided annually by the Ministry, and an information and communications technology (ICT) hub, which is intended to bridge the communication gap in the village.

“I am very pleased that the village has been able to complete these two projects… They have a rich culture here. They have a [water] fall up the river, and

they have a lot of wildlife. They have flora, fauna and, more so, the people are very friendly and hospita -

ble,” Minister Sukhai said while speaking on that village’s tourism potential.

Currently in the furnishing stage, the guest house is expected to be completed within six weeks. The ICT hub has been completed, and is awaiting the installation of computer systems and internet connectivity.

Minister Sukhai has commended the residents for their eagerness to develop the community. “I think Chenapau is moving apace, and they have

shown their willingness to advance their village and to ensure that they enter into sustainable sectors too,” the minister told the Department of Public Information (DPI) after inspecting the projects.

Deputy Toshao Derrick Williams has expressed appreciation to the Government for supporting the journey of the village in advancing development and creating economic independence through these various projects.

“For this benab particu -

larly, we’re going to benefit in ways like accommodating guests. It could be tourists, it could be passersby, it could be Government officials,” he said.

Chenapau is also going to benefit from additional revenues earned from the sale of Guyana’s carbon credits.

Minister Sukhai was accompanied to Chenapau by Project Coordinator Besham Ramsaywack and Community Development Officer (CDO) Kurt Perreia.

PAHO/WHO Representative Dr Luis Codina; Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; and Mission Leader Dr Marlo Libel

Stakeholders from the Health Ministry and PAHO/WHO at the opening ceremony on Monday

Deputy Toshao of Chenapau, Derrick Williams

Minister Sukhai was accompanied by Project Coordinator Besham Ramsaywack and Community Development Officer (CDO) Kurt Perreia

The guest house being constructed at Chenapau

Ecuador declares state of emergency amid violent clashes

Ecuador's President, Guillermo Lasso on Monday declared a state of emergency and night curfews in three coastal provinces, amid a wave of violence over the weekend in the Andean country that left at least eight people dead.

Lasso declared the state of emergency in the provinces of Manabi and Los Rios and in the city of Duran, near Guayaquil, after Agustin Intriago, the Mayor of coastal city Manta, was shot dead on Sunday.

It also comes on the back of riots over the weekend in the prison Penitenciaria del Litoral, in Guayaquil, involving clashes between gangs inside the prison.

Lasso has frequently resorted to declaring states of emergency as Ecuador struggles with prison riots and waves of violence throughout the country.

"We cannot deny that organised crime has permeated the State, political organisations and society itself, it is a problem that has been brewing for more than a decade," Lasso said after a se-

curity Cabinet meeting.

The state of emergency will last for 60 days in the provinces, while the curfew will vary during that period, the Government said.

The murder of Manta's Mayor is under investigation, Lasso said.

Sunday's riots left at least six inmates dead and 11 injured, according to the SNAI prison authority.

Prisoners also took 96 guards as hostages in jails in Cotopaxi, Azuay, Cañar, El Oro and Napo, and are

continuing a hunger strike that began on Sunday in 13 Ecuadorean prisons, without disclosing reasons for the strikes.

The prison system in the South American country has faced structural problems for decades, but jail violence has soared since 2021, with at least 400 persons killed in frequent confrontations, which have drawn the concern of the United Nations and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. (Reuters)

Mottley backs tax on shipping industry

Barbados is on board with a proposed tax on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the shipping industry, but wants any such levy to be capped. This is because of the negative impact the imposition could have on inflation and the movement of

goods, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said recently.

There was no consensus on the issue at the recent Summit For A New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, but Barbados was listed among about 23 countries and regional organisations said to be in

support of the measure.

“There is a recognition that the shipping sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emission, but does not contribute any money whatsoever to mitigation or to adaptation,” the Prime Minister said.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Guatemala urged to ensure no interference in election after raid

Senior US Department of State official

Brian Nichols said on Monday he had spoken with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Bucaro to stress the need to hold a free and fair run-off in the Central American country's presidential election next month.

Nichols said on Twitter he had highlighted the need to "proceed without interference or harassment of candidates and parties", following attempts to suspend the party of anti-graft candidate Bernardo Arevalo.

Bucaro said later on Monday the two had discussed "the positive role that the Guatemalan executive branch has played" in the lead-up to the second round of elections.

The US had criticised a Police raid on the offices of Arevalo's centre-left Semilla party on Friday. The Prosecutor leading the investigation into Semilla,

Rafael Curruchiche, is on the US State Department's Engel List for "corrupt and undemocratic actors".

A senior Biden Administration official last week described the raid as representing "authoritarian practices" and a violation of democratic norms by Guatemala's

Brazilian Police on Monday arrested another suspect in connection with the 2018 murder of popular Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver, acting on a plea bargain confession by an arrested suspect.

A preventive arrest warrant and seven search and seizure warrants were served, Justice Minister Flavio Dino confirmed in a press conference in the capital Brasilia.

The man arrested was named as former firefighter Maxwell Simoes Correia, and he is suspected of hid-

ing the weapons used by the ex-Police suspects who are on trial over the shooting, according to Dino.

In March 2019, two former Police Officers, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz, were indicted on charges of shooting Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. They remain in federal prison custody.

The Minister said that Queiroz, who is accused of driving the car used in the crime, made a plea bargain with Police and Prosecutors and said he was an accessory to the crime and confirmed that Lessa was in-

volved in the murder.

"We are close to solving this horrendous crime,"

Dino said, adding that information provided by Queiroz will help identify others involved in the crime and more Police operations can be expected in the coming weeks.

A rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), Franco was an outspoken critic of Police killings of poor Rio residents and her death sparked nationwide protests by Brazilians fed up with endemic violence.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Public Ministry.

The official added the US was closely monitoring the lead-up to the runoff and would host Arevalo and his opponent, former First Lady Sandra Torres, for talks in Washington this week to show support for free and fair elections.

(Reuters)

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has strongly denounced recent comments made by Opposition Leader Mark Golding that it believes seemingly encourage voter fraud.

Golding told a political meeting in East Rural St Andrew over the weekend that comrades who voted in the 2011 election should cast their ballots in the upcoming polls, boldly stating that “even some who not alive, if dem can deal with it, no problem”.

In a statement on Monday, the JLP dubbed Golding’s statements as reckless, saying it seemingly encouraged casting votes in the name of deceased individuals.

The JLP added that

such “a reckless statement amounts to the promotion of electoral fraud and poses a grave threat to the integrity of our democratic process.”

Dr Horace Chang, general secretary for the JLP shared that “Jamaica has

made significant strides in securing free and fair elections, fostering a transparent and accountable electoral system that upholds the principles of democracy” and said Golding’s “alarming endorsement of such unethical practices raises serious concerns about his commitment to our nation’s democratic values.”

Chang went on to state that although Jamaicans should not be too surprised by Golding’s remarks, citizens should be disappointed at the Opposition’s “desperation to seize power at any cost”.

The JLP has since called on Golding to retract his statement and “unequivocally disavow any support for electoral fraud.”

(Jamaica Observer)

joins UNC, NTA on stage

Despite rejecting the United National Congress (UNC) and forming the Independent Liberal Party(ILP) a decade ago, former Trinidad National Security Minister Jack Warner was scheduled to again join Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on sage at a UNC meeting Monday.

He was expected to open up about his reasons for reuniting with the UNC leader and explain exactly what he was hoping to achieve with the political reunion.

St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen confirmed Warner’s reunion with the party during a media conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader in Port-of-Spain.

Ameen said before Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced the Local Government Elections (LGE) date last month, PersadBissessar called on political parties to unite to oust the People’s National Movement (PNM), and several came forward. The UNC strategy now includes collaborators having

candidates on their own or UNC tickets while others support.

She said the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), ILP and other parties are working together in every region across the country, and people have responded well. She noted NTA political leader Gary Griffith walking in several areas with his and UNC candidates.

“Mr Warner, in the area he has been living for many years, the Lopinot/ Bon Air West constituency also offers their UNC candidates, and

so you will have collaboration with political parties in terms of campaigning, in terms of strategy as well as candidates.

So it is in keeping with that accommodation that you will see Mr Warner, Mr Griffith and others on the political platform,” Ameen said.

UNC’s deputy chairman. Asked what assurance there was for the political parties that the collaboration would work, she said PersadBissessar held a five-party People’s Partnership coalition government that lasted an entire term. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, on the day of his annual report to the nation, a week after dissolving the National Assembly and calling for early elections, in Quito, Ecuador, May 24, 2023 (Reuters/Karen Toro)

Brazilian Police arrest new suspect in 2018 murder of Rio councilwoman

JLP accuses Golding of encouraging electoral fraud after “dead Comrades” remarks

Warner

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang

Protesters demonstrate outside the Constitutional Court of Guatemala during the “March of the Flowers” against the political persecution of the Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo's Semilla party, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, July 23, 2023 (Reuters/Cristina Chiquin photo)

Around The World OIL NEWS

Israel judicial reform: Key bill becomes law amid mass protests

Oil prices edge higher on tighter supply, China hopes

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session, as signs of tighter supplies and pledges by Chinese authorities to shore up the world's second-biggest economy lifted sentiment.

Brent futures gained seven cents at US$82.81 a barrel at 00:07 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 11 cents at US$78.85.

Both benchmarks rose over two per cent the previous day, and hit their highest closes since April.

The crude benchmarks have already climbed for four weeks in a row with supplies expected to tighten owing to cuts from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies like Russia, a group known as OPEC+.

In China, the world's second-largest economy and second-biggest oil consumer, leaders pledged to step up policy support for the economy amid a tortuous post-COVID recovery, focusing on boosting domestic demand.

Still, bearish data in the eurozone and US underlined weakness across the global economy.

In the eurozone, business activity shrank much more than expected in July as demand in the bloc's dominant services industry declined while factory output fell at the fastest pace since COVID-19 first took hold, a survey showed.

In the US, business activity slowed to a five-month low in July, dragged down by decelerating service-sector growth, closely watched survey data showed, but falling input prices and slower hiring indicate the Federal Reserve could be making progress on important fronts in its bid to reduce inflation.

Investors have priced in quarter-point hikes from the Fed and European Central Bank (ECB) this week, so the focus will be on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell and ECB President Christine Lagarde say about future rate increases.

Later today, industry data on US crude inventories is expected. Four analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories fell by about two million barrels in the week to July 21. (Reuters)

Greta Thunberg fined over Swedish climate protest

Israeli Members of Parliament (MPs) have passed into law a highly-controversial bill despite mass protests which aimed to thwart it.

The law removes the power of the Supreme Court to overrule Government actions it considers unreasonable.

It is the first to be approved in a series of bitterlycontested reforms aimed at curbing the power of courts.

The planned reforms have triggered some of the biggest protests in Israel's history, with opponents warning they imperil Israel as a democracy.

The Government argues that the measures are necessary to correct an imbalance in power which has seen the courts increasingly inter-

vene in political decisions in recent decades.

The so-called "reasonableness" bill was approved by 64 votes to 0, after the Opposition boycotted the final vote.

In remarks to the Knesset (Parliament), Opposition

Leader Yair Lapid called the step "a takeover by an extreme minority over the Israeli majority".

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the court would remain independent. He said the bill was necessary for the

Government to "carry out policy in line with the decision of the majority of the citizens of the country".

The vote brings to a head months of turmoil, with Israel's President warning political leaders on Monday that the country was "in a state of national emergency".

On Monday morning, protesters blocking a boulevard outside the Knesset were sprayed with water cannon and pulled off the road by Police amid a cacophony of noise from drums, whistles and air horns.

One protester was hurt, local media say, and six were arrested, Police said. Other protesters surrounded a Police van shouting "shame" at officers. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Justice Department sues Texas over floating barrier in Rio Grande

The Biden Administration has sued Texas over a floating barrier installed by the state in the Rio Grande river to deter migrants on the US-Mexico border.

The barrier, made partly of orange buoys attached by webbings, was announced by state's Republican governor Greg Abbott in early June.

Federal authorities say the barriers in the river flout federal law and present "humanitarian concerns".

Ahead of the lawsuit, Abbott vowed to "see" the Government in court.

First announced in June, the barriers cover about 305 metres (1000ft) of the Rio Grande. The buoys are connected with webbing and anchored to the bottom of the river.

State officials have argued it will help secure the border. Immigrant advocates have said it may be ineffective and potentially dangerous to migrants.

The barriers are already the subject of another law-

Pakistan’s election body issues arrest warrant against ex-PM Khan

Pakistan’s Election Commission has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Imran Khan in the latest legal challenge facing the former Prime Minister.

suit from a local kayak company.

In a nine-page lawsuit filed to a federal court in Austin, the Justice Department argued that state officials were required to seek federal permission to

put the barriers in place. By not doing so, federal officials argue, Texas violated federal laws governing navigable waterways.

"We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorisation," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement.

"This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns," the statement added. "Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging US foreign policy." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ukraine war: Russia attacks grain stores at River Danube po

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been fined for disobeying a Police order to leave a climate protest in the Swedish port of Malmö last month.

Thunberg, 20, denied the charge, but was found guilty and ordered to pay 2500 Swedish krona (US$240).

Hours later, she took part in another protest and was carried away by Police along with five others.

On both occasions, she was part of a group of protesters that blocked the road for oil trucks in Malmö har-

bour.

She was charged in June for failing to leave when ordered to do so by Police.

"I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property," she told the court in Malmö on Monday, adding that "countless people" were at risk.

"It's correct that I was at that place on that day, and it's correct that I received an order that I didn't listen to, but I want to deny the crime," she said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The latest case came on Monday, the same day Khan was granted bail by the Supreme Court in a different case. Khan has been slapped with more than 150 cases, including “terrorism” since he was removed as Prime Minister in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April last year.

The warrant, issued in Islamabad, said Khan was in contempt of the Election Commission’s proceedings and had failed to appear before the Commission despite earlier notices and bailable warrants.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf Party posted an image of the warrant, saying it was received at Khan’s residence in Lahore by a member of his legal team.

“The Election Commission of Pakistan’s notice was received at the residence of Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaaf.

The notice was received by Rai Muhammad Ali Advocate, a member of the legal team. The Election Commission has requested the Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf to appear on July 25. Chairman Tehreeke-Insaf will appear before the Election Commission tomorrow,” Monday’s post said.

The 70-year-old politician has been accused of using “intemperate language and contemptuous remarks” against the Election Commission.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Russian drones have attacked Ukrainian ports on the River Danube, destroying grain storage infrastructure, local officials say.

The facilities are just across the river from NATOmember Romania.

The Danube is a key export route for Kyiv since Russia pulled out of a deal allowing Ukraine to ship wheat, corn and other products via the Black Sea.

A grain depot was also destroyed in the Black Sea port city of Odesa, which has come under almost nightly attack.

Officials say more than 60,000 tonnes of grain have been destroyed in the past week.

Global markets have seen the price of grain rise by eight per cent within a day

of Russia's pullout from the grain deal, on July 17.

The collapse of the deal also means that Russia has resumed targeting of port locations in Ukraine which had been suspended during the deal.

Odesa head Oleh Kiper, whose region also covers the Danube ports of Reni and Izmail, said in his Telegram channel that Russia had attacked the infrastructure there for four hours with Iranian-made drones.

He said a grain hangar and tanks for storage were destroyed. Other local officials say three warehouses were bombed.

Three drones out of about 15 involved in the attack were destroyed by air defences, Kiper added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Protesters blocking a boulevard outside the Knesset were sprayed with water cannon and pulled off the road by Police amid a cacophony of noise from drums, whistles and air horns

Police removed Greta Thunberg during the protest in Malmö in June

The barriers are already the subject of another lawsuit from a local kayak company.

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Embrace life, focus on getting things done and stop fretting over what you cannot change. Use your intelligence to guide you. Take on any challenge you encounter with enthusiasm.

(March 21-April 19)

Look for an alternative when faced with negativity, and you’ll accomplish your objective. Create opportunities instead of expecting them to manifest out of thin air. Take charge and keep the peace.

(April 20-May 20)

Anger and distress will lead to restrictions. Look on the bright side. Make decisions based on your findings, not on hearsay or what someone else is peddling.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Participate in something you feel passionate about, and you will make a difference. Self-improvement will help you add to your assets and decrease your liabilities. Think outside the box

Clarify information before agreeing to participate in something. Someone will leave out key details to deter you from walking away. Ask challenging questions, and don’t be afraid to take a pass.

Go beyond what others are willing to do, and you’ll set an example. Raise the bar and set the standard, and you will make a difference. Not everyone will like the changes you make, but they don’t have to.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pay attention to what the experts say, ask questions and accept any help offered. The connections you make will encourage you to participate in something that makes a difference.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Step outside your comfort zone and see what’s available. Make a move because it suits your needs, not because someone else is prompting you to participate. Take aggressive action.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Communication and consistency will be key. Be specific. Say no to anyone trying to manipulate or confuse you. Demonstrate your professionalism using actions and words.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Push forward with a positive attitude. A change that has the potential to benefit you financially, physically or emotionally will ease stress and stimulate your imagination.

Be aware of what others do and say. Don’t get involved in an emotionally draining situation. Limit your expenses, and don’t make unnecessary alterations. Nurture what you have.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Map out a path that helps fulfill the lifestyle you want to live. Changing how you handle or earn your keep could pay off if you market your skills accordingly. Figure out what you can afford.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Lara, Heroes Foundation launch ‘SAVE’ – “Sport Against Violent Energy”

Cricket legend Brian Lara and the Trinidad and Tobago-based Heroes Foundation have collaboratively launched a transformative sport and youth development initiative called ‘SAVE’ - Sport Against Violent Energy.

The initiative was launched during the West Indies vs India test match at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad on Friday, where 1,500 local and migrant youth attendees were introduced to the wonderful world of cricket.

United by a shared vision to leverage sport and youth development to create positive change, SAVE aims to highlight the pivotal role that sports play in nurturing future generations, fostering vibrant communities, and ultimately making significant strides in curbing negative influences.

The launch of this initiative has received overwhelming support from what was the largest youth crowd in the Oval, with young attendees coming from 32 secondary schools and civil society organisations from across the country. This united front of young people and communities emphasised the appeal and value of sports in empowering youth, while rallying thunderous support and pride for both the West Indies and Indian cricket teams.

The event also provided an incredible opportunity for attendees to engage with local and international icons, including the legendary Brian Lara himself, former West Indies crick-

eter Dinanath Ramnarine, Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Aché Abrahams, and Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago Faith Gillezeau.

Speaking during the launch, Lara expressed commitment to the region's development by stating, "I have witnessed the transformative power of sports for young people, families and communities across the world, especially when consistent support is provided. My stepping stone into cricket began on Sundays at the Harvard Coaching Clinic, which ignited my passion for the sport and played a crucial role in my character and skills development. I want more young people to have similar opportunities.

“While they have more distractions today than when I was growing up, I am excited about the positive impact we can create through SAVE and the work of the Heroes Foundation. Together, across our region, we can foster a new generation of sportsmen and sportswomen who will make

us all proud as both skilled players and responsible global citizens. Collaboration among clubs, foundations, academies, governments and corporations all working in the best interest of our youth is essential for achieving this vision. I am grateful for the support we received for this launch event, especially from our sponsors, and look forward to the work we will do together.”

Founded in 2002, the Heroes Foundation is dedicated to empowering children and youth to find the hero within themselves and become positive change agents in their schools, communities, and countries. By implementing long-term development programmes and skills-development initiatives, Heroes helps address psychosocial and socioeconomic barriers that hinder their development, and create safe spaces where they can build a sense of community, and can collaborate and support each other’s growth.

Chief Executive Officer

of the Heroes Foundation, Lawrence Arjoon, expressed appreciation for Brian Lara's commitment to long-term development work. He noted, “We’re motivated by the positive transformation seen in the thousands of young people who have gone through our programmes in safe, supportive environments over the past twenty years. With Brian Lara’s leadership, we are excited by the expanded opportunities SAVE will provide for young people to grow and thrive. When heroes like Brian Lara support young people by sharing their stories, experiences and efforts, they inspire the next generation to dream big, believe in themselves, and find courage despite their challenges. The youth participation and support at Friday’s game and launch is testament to that.”

Lara and Heroes extend their heartfelt gratitude to all supporters and partners for the launch of SAVE, who believe in the power of sports

to shape a brighter future for our region’s youth.

SPONSORS:

• The West Indies Cricket Board

• National Lotteries Control Board

• JMMB Bank

• Visa Inc. Marketing

• Blue Waters

• Victor and Sally Moutet Foundation

• Kalloo's Auto

Rentals, Taxi Service & Tours

• The Pan-American Development Foundation

• Gravitas Business Solutions

• Blewstream Group

• The Lara Agency

• Fides Limited

• Price Chopper Inc.

PARTICIPANTS

• AMMR Child Friendly

Spaces - Carapichima

• AMMR Child Friendly

Spaces - Moruga

• AMMR Child Friendly Spaces - Penal

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023…

Ary Borges stole the headlines on day five of the Women’s World Cup, as her hat-trick helped Brazil thrash tournament debutants Panama 4-0 in Adelaide.

There were also plenty of goals in Melbourne, where Germany brushed aside Morocco 6-0, with captain Alexandra Popp bagging a brace; while Italy left it late to beat Argentina 1-0.

Here, the PA news agen-

• Belmont Secondary School

• Bishop Anstey High School East

• createfuturegood

• D Eastern Cricket Academy

• Diego Martin North Secondary School

• Families in Action

• Five Rivers Secondary School

• Heroes Foundation Child Friendly Spaces

• Holy Faith Convent, Penal

• LARMS

• Marabella South Secondary School

• NiNa Young Women Leadership Programme

• Rainbow Rescue

• Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation

• Sangre Grande Development Foundation

• Savonetta Primary School

• Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra

• Siparia West Secondary School

hat-trick has Brazil up and running Borges

cy takes a look at all of Monday’s action.

Borges powers Brazil

Brazil’s opening match of the tournament was all about Borges, who scored the tournament’s first hat-trick and set up Bia Zaneratto for the other in a one-sided match in Group F.

The winger had a firsthalf brace, both headers from Debinha’s crosses, before her neat backheel laid on the third of the match for Zaneratto just three minutes into the second half.

Borges then headed in Brazil’s fourth 20 minutes from time, to put her side in a strong position in the group

after France’s draw with Jamaica.

Germany lay down a marker Germany, the world’s number two side, immediately set out their stall in Melbourne with a dominant performance against Morocco.

Captain Popp, who missed the Euro 2022 final against England with an injury picked up in the warmup, found the net with two clinical headers inside the opening 45 minutes.

Klara Buhl then added a third early in the second half, before Morocco crumbled, both Hanane Ait el Haj and Yasmin Mrabet putting through their own net.

Substitute Lea Schuller then added a sixth late on, after Germany had struck the frame of the goal twice and had another ruled out for offside.

Italy snatch late victory

Cristiana Girelli came off the bench to make the difference for Italy, as her 87th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Argentina.

Italy had been growing frustrated against a stubborn display from their opponents, with goals from Arianna Caruso and Valentina Giacinti ruled out for offside.

Girelli came on to replace 16-year-old midfielder Giulio Dragoni, who justified

her selection with a composed display in midfield.

MATCHES BEING

PLAYED

Group H: Colombia vs South Korea (3am Tuesday, Allianz Stadium, Sydney)

Group A: New Zealand vs Philippines (6:30am Tuesday, Wellington Regional Stadium)

Group A: Switzerland vs Norway (9am Tuesday, FMG Stadium Waikato) all times BST (Sportsmax)

Hard at work - Brian Lara and Heroes Foundation CEO at the SAVE launch

Children at the SAVE launch with Brian Lara and the Heroes Foundation

Senior Men’s Leagues 2023…

Goalfest in East Bank FA

…West Demerara start postponed

It was goals galore over the weekend when the Senior Men's League of the East Bank FA continued at Timehri Red Ground.

On Saturday (23rd), it was St Cuthbert’s Jaguars who were on the receiving end of a 7-1 drubbing meted out by Soesdyke Falcons. Trebles from Timothy Glasgow (16',19' and 51') and Tyrone Khan (9', 56' and 77') and one from Colin McLean (17') resulted in the lopsided scoreline.

David Schuman netted the consolation for the Jaguars.

That Saturday, there was another no-show from Friendship All Stars in

their scheduled fixture against Diamond United.

Timehri Panthers have swamped newcomers Circuit Ville 10-0 and Herstelling Raiders had the better of Dean FC 3-1.

Leading the Panthers’ onslaught with double strikes were: Shaw Steele (12' and 61'), Johnston Bailey (36' and 67'), Anthony Denny (32' and 68') and Tyrone Burnette (55' and 90'). Kevin Scott (76') and Tyrel Khan(26') added one apiece.

Raiders’ victory was spearheaded by strikes from Albert Adams in the 9th minute, Johnaton Conyers scored a penalty in the 51st, and Raheem Angus contributed in the 77th minute. For Swan, Edwin Williams converted in the 15th minute.

And the Men's League in Berbice FA produced 2 one-sided results when play continued last Sunday at the Rosignol Community Centre ground. In the first match, Cougars FC hammered Ithaca FC 6-1, with 3 goals in either half.

Allista Drakes began the Ithaca slaughter as early as the 5th minute, while Delroy Ferdinand added another in the 27th minute, and Dane Johnson netted six minutes later.

On target in the 2nd period were: Kwesi Mickel (65'), William Sommersell (75') and Dexter Welcome (78'). Omarion Anthony got the consolation for Ithaca in the 68th minute.

Home team Rosignol United then trounced Fyrish Sharks 6-0 in the 2nd game, after a 2-0 halftime lead. Rayon Ross in the 33rd minute and La Shawn Miles two minutes

later gave Rosignol a quick 2-goal advantage.

Strikes by Nial Reynolds in the 63rd and 69th minutes doubled the lead, before Terique Benn and Garson Baker scored

in less than a minute apart - in the 70th and 71st minutes to complete the rout.

The grand opening of the 2023 Senior Men's League of the West Demerara FA will now be held this Saturday, July 28th, after heavy rains on Sunday last (July 23rd) had forced the postponement.

An inspection of the Tuschen ground revealed it unplayable and left the Competitions Committee with no other option but to set a new date for the start.

Meanwhile, the Bartica FA were scheduled to begin their 5th round of matches in their Senior Men's League with two matches at the Bartica Community Centre ground on Monday night. In those matches, Rising Stars were scheduled to meet Wolves United at 7pm and a clash between Beacons FC against Lazio FC was to follow.

Banks DIH to provide free Kids Zone at Kares ‘One Guyana’ T10 Blast

Teams are finalizing their preparation for

the highly anticipated Kares ‘One Guyana’ T10 Tape ball Blast, which is just days away.

The first ball is expected to be bowled at 09:00hrs on Saturday, July 29, across five venues in Georgetown, while the semi-finals and the grand final will be played the next day at Everest Cricket Club.

The organizers have promised high quality and competitive cricket from the 32 teams in the knockout ten-over-per- side tournament, while there will be live streaming for the world to see the product.

The grand prize is $1M, but many individual prizes

are on offer. Spectators can also win instant prizes from sponsors by participating in a novelty cricket-related event.

In what is turning out to be the perfect family-oriented event, the organizers have promised to set up a specially-designated area dubbed the Kidz Zone, in which children would enjoy free riders and there would be a bouncy castle. In partnership with sponsor Banks DIH Limited, there will also be free ice cream, soda, snacks, and water.

Co-Director of the tournament, John Ramsingh, said, “Banks DIH have demonstrated their generosity previously, but this is above and beyond. Words

are not enough to say ‘thank you’. With this excellent idea, parents will have peace of mind with their children in the Safe Zone while they [parents] either play or watch the action on the field. It is a win for everyone.”

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is the patron of the ‘One Guyana’ T10 Tape ball Blast, which begins with the round of 32 on day one at 09:00h, followed by the round of 16 at 13:00h,

then the quarter-finals at 16:00h at Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary; Queen’s College, YMCA, Transport Sports Club, and GDF Base Camp Ayanganna.

This inaugural tournament is supported by Kares Engineering, GT Beer, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Premier Insurance, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Guyana Tourism Authority, Avinash Contracting and

Scrap Metal, Continental Transport Inc, Assuria, Ansa Motors Guyana, Star Rentals, E-Net; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; USA Cricket Zone, First Change Builders, Impressions, Jacobs’ Jewellery, Beacon Café, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Zeus Enterprise, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Montra Restaurant and Lounge, The New Doctor’s Clinic and Trophy Stall.

Soesdyke Falcons goal-scorers (from L to R): Timothy Glasgow, Colin McLean and Tyrone Khan

Organizers of the ‘One Guyana’ T10 Blast have moved to keep children amply entertained this weekend

WI vs India 2023: Test 2 of 2…

Rain denies India shot at full WTC points in Port-of-Spain

Persistent rain wiped out the entire final day's play in Portof-Spain, denying India a chance to sweep the Test series 2-0. The game was called off at 2.50pm local time.

The day had started with showers, and the teams didn't even arrive at Queen's Park Oval until after lunch. The rain relented briefly, before returning once again in the afternoon to force an end to the game.

The third and the fourth days were also interrupted by inclement weather, but

rapid half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan had set up India's

victory push. R Ashwin then produced a double-strike on the fourth evening to jolt

WI vs India, white-ball matches…

West Indies in their chase of 365, but no play was possible on the last day.

Mohammed Siraj was adjudged the Player of the Match for taking 5 for 60 in West Indies' first innings, while Ashwin was named the Player of the Series for taking 15 wickets at an average of 15 and scoring a half-century.

India won the series 1-0, having brushed West Indies aside in three days in the first Test in Dominica. India's next Test series will be in South Africa in December later this year, while West Indies will not be in action in Test cricket until their trip to Australia in January 2024. (ESPNCricinfo)

India have secured the series win 1-0 by virtue of their win in Dominica

Box offices open for ticket sales in Barbados, Guyana

Cricket West Indies (CWI) have announced the opening dates of box offices for ticket sales in Barbados and Guyana, ahead of the West Indies vs India white ball matches in those countries.

The box office at Kensington Oval opened on Monday 24 July at 9am. The office will be opened daily from 9am to 5pm on non-match days, and from 7:30am to 3pm on match days. The two teams will meet in the first and second matches in the CG United ODI Series powered by YES BANK on Thursday 27 July and Saturday 29 July.

At Kensington Oval, venue ticket prices start from BDS$50 for standard seats, and children and seniors benefit from half-price tickets.

The ticket box office at Bourda Cricket Ground in Georgetown, Guyana will open from Saturday 29 July

from 8:30am for fans to make their purchases. The office will be opened daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm on non-match days.

Guyana will host the second and third T20 Internationals at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday 6 August and Tuesday 8 August. Ticket prices start

from GY$3000 for mounds entry at the Guyana National Stadium.

The box office at the Queen’s Park Oval will remain open for fans to secure tickets for the third ODI of CG United ODI Series powered by YES BANK on 3 August and the first T20I on 6 August, which

will be played at Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Tickets start from TT$100 for mounds entry and the Tribe Party Stand is also now on sale with all-inclusive drinks and light food options from TT$600.

CWI has also announced that, for the first time, West Indies hospitality by the Red Stand will be on sale, with tickets for the hospitality suites priced at TT$1300 (US$191) for the 1st CG United ODI and TT$1100 (US$162) for the 1st T20I. The Red Stand hospitality is a premium all-inclusive experience in air-conditioned suites, with outdoor viewing and fully inclusive premium food and drink options.

Fans who purchase online tickets online from the Windies Tickets service, presented by Mastercard, benefit from a 20% discount on the venues’ box office prices (excluding Party Sand and

Ninvalle engages former World Champion Azumah Nelson …Seeks “The Professor’s” input on development

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is poised to benefit from the knowledge of world class former boxer Azumah ‘The Professor’ Nelson, who is widely regarded as the greatest African boxer of all time.

This comes on the heels of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle meaningfully engaging the Ghanian boxer at his home in Ghana on Monday.

“Well, the meeting with Mr. Nelson today went extremely well. We held discussions on a wide array of topics. Our main focus, of course, was about his ability to assist with the development of boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean, and Mr. Nelson said that he stands ready,” Ninvalle shared in an invited comment.

It is believed that with the input of the former World Featherweight and Super Featherweight champion’s vast knowledge of the sport, not only would the GBA benefit, but local pugilists would also.

The GBA President said about “The Professor’s” future involvement, “His team will be making contact with us soon as to the details of how they can assist, and then we can move forward from there. Mr. Nelson is a legend. As you know, he is the greatest boxer to come out of the African continent, and he’s the only African who’s a Hall of Famer in boxing.”

The GBA Boss expressed that the meeting with the world-renowned boxer Nelson at his home in Ghana also had personal significance to him.

“I remembered one fight exactly when he defeated Wilfredo Gomez. Gomez was looked upon as being immortal in boxing, but Nelson would have knocked him out. So, it was an extremely special day for me, on a personal note, to meet with him,” he explained. Ninvalle added, “Not only to meet with him, but to be invited into his home to have these discussions.

During his amateur career, Azumah ‘The Professor’ Nelson competed at the All-Africa

Games and Commonwealth Games, both in 1978, where he captured gold in the featherweight division at both events.

Nelson made his first challenge for a world title (WBC Featherweight) in 1982, but lost to Salvador Sanchez. However, in 1984 he won the

Hospitality tickets). Fans can register for their account and purchase tickets at https:// tickets.windiescricket.com

Cricket Academy, Trinidad

• start time at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica)

WBC Featherweight championship in a famous fight against Wilfredo Gomez, whom he knocked out in the 11th round. Years later, Nelson first won the WBC Super featherweight title in 1988 after overcoming Mario Martinez via split decision.

Schedule of upcoming matches

CG United ODI Series powered by YES BANK

27 July: 1st ODI CG

United ODI Series powered by YES BANK, Kensington Oval, Barbados

29 July: 2nd ODI CG United ODI Series powered by YES BANK, Barbados

1 August: 3rd ODI CG United ODI Series powered by YES BANK, Brian Lara

T20 Internationals

3 August: 1st T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

6 August: 2nd T20I, National Stadium, Guyana

8 August: 3rd T20I, National Stadium, Guyana

12 August: 4th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida

13 August: 5th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida

• Start time 10:30am (9:30am Jamaica)

Chelsea Edghill qualifies for 2023 Pan Am Games

According to an announcement from the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Olympian Chelsea Edghill has gained qualification to compete at the Games, scheduled for the city of Santiago from October 20th to November 5th, 2023.

Guyana will now have two racquet-wielding maestros representing the Golden Arrowhead at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile.

The announcement was made by the GTTA on the heels of correspondence with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pan Am Competitions Manager. Edghill will compete alongside Shemar Britton, who qualified for the prestigious tournament after an exceptional performance at the Pan Am qualifiers in Lima, Peru in June.

Rain delayed the start of play on the fifth day, and persisted throughout the day

GBA President Steve Ninvalle sharing a light moment with former World Champion Azumah ‘The Professor’ Nelson

Chelsea Edghill

West Indies last played India at the National Stadium at Providence back in 2019

Flashback! Fans turned up at the National Stadium in their numbers when India last played West Indies on local shores in 2019

the squad for the threematch CG United One Day International (ODI) Series powered by YES BANK against India, which starts on Thursday, 27 July, at Kensington Oval.

The 15-member squad was named following a four-day camp held at Kensington Oval to prepare the white-ball players for the upcoming CG United ODI Series, as

Hetmyer returns to Windies squad for CG United ODI Series

will fit well into the setup. Oshane brings pace, and is a potential wicket-taker with the new ball. Shimron’s style of batting will offer a lot, especially in the middle stage of the innings, and he is also a potential ‘finisher’.”

Tickets service, presented by Mastercard, at tickets. windiescricket.com

Additional Players at White

Ball Preparation Camp

Dennis Bulli

rehabilitation from sur gery, while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is also included, having recovered from injury.

Lead Selector The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes has said: “We welcome Oshane and Shimron back into the group. Both have played at the international level before with some success, and we believe they

Kensington Oval hosts the first two matches in the three-match CG United ODI Series on Thursday 27 July and Saturday 29 July. The teams then move to Trinidad for the third and final CG United ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday 1 August. All three matches start at 9:30am local time (8:30am Jamaica time).

Tickets for the matches are available from box offices at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, as well as Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, and the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad from Monday 24 July. Additionally, tickets are available online in advance from the Windies

Fans who purchase online will benefit from a 20% discount compared to the box office prices, with tickets ranging from the most premium seats with the best and shaded views in each stadium through to affordable standard seats or mounds/grounds entry.

FULL SQUAD

Shai Hope (Captain)

Rovman Powell

(Vice Captain)

Alick Athanaze

Yannic Cariah

Keacy Carty

Dominic Drakes

Shimron Hetmyer

Alzarri Joseph

Brandon King

Kyle Mayers

Gudakesh Motie

Jayden Seales

Romario Shepherd

Kevin Sinclair

Oshane Thomas

Intense rivalry at Tropical Shipping Drag Wars

2:

Roston Chase

McKenny Clarke

Kavem Hodge

Jair McCallister

Obed McCoy

Kevin Wickham

WI v India Tour

Match Schedule

CG United ODI Series

powered by YES BANK

1st ODI, Kensington

Oval, Barbados: July 27

2nd ODI, Kensington

Oval, Barbados: July 29

3rd ODI, Brian

Lara Cricket Academy,

Trinidad: : August 1

• start time at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica)

T20 Internationals

1st T20I, Brian

Lara Cricket Academy,

Trinidad: August 3

2nd T20I, Guyana

National Stadium,

Guyana: August 6

3rd T20I, Guyana

National Stadium, Guyana: August 8

4th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida: August 12

5th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida: August 13

• start time at: 10:30am (9:30am Jamaica)

Can anyone dethrone Team Mohamed’s?

There is no room for complacency in the heart-pounding world of drag racing, where split-second decisions and blistering speed can make or break champions. As the excitement reaches a fever pitch at Tropical Shipping Drag Wars

2, all eyes are on the battle of the titans – Team Mohamed’s, the reigning drag racing royalty, and their hungry rivals who are ready to snatch the crown.

Team Mohamed’s, with their formidable fleet of four Nissan GTRs, are the stuff of legends. Capable of running an astonishing 7 seconds and faster, their GTRs are nothing short of rocket ships on wheels. Their secret weapon, the Mustang Pro Mod, stands as the epitome of drag racing excellence, holding the track record with a jaw-dropping 7.036 seconds set just last August. The Pro Mod’s potential to run even faster, potentially breaking the elusive 6-second barrier, looms over the competition like a menac-

ing spectre.

These speed demons are no ordinary contenders –their GTRs are meticulously prepped by the renowned T1 Race Development in the United States, and maintained by a team of seasoned Guyanese experts. This deadly combination of American engineering and Guyanese finesse has transformed Team Mohamed’s into an invincible force, feared and respected by all.

But, as every racing fan knows, there’s nothing more thrilling than a fierce rivalry, and Team Mohamed’s has no shortage of adversaries vying for their throne. One such ri-

val, Team Daby, has stepped into the limelight with the recent acquisition of a Toyota Solara that once conquered the tracks in the United States with a stunning 6-second performance. Determined to etch its name in Guyana’s drag racing history, Team Daby has enlisted a skilled team to finetune and drive the Solara with a single-minded focus – breaking Team Mohamed’s record.

However, the plot thickens even further with the entrance of Trinidadian Sheldon Bissessar into the fray. No stranger to high-stakes competition, Bissessar boasts an impressive racing resume, having competed in IHRA

World Championships and shattered records. Confident after rigorous testing and substantial upgrades to his rail car, he sets his sights on spoiling the Guyanese party and seizing victory at Tropical Shipping Drag Wars

2. Bissessar’s conviction is bolstered by the track’s exceptional grip and immaculate preparation at South Dakota, a perfect battleground for his daring quest.

As the countdown to the big event ticks away, the in-

tensity of the rivalry between these racing giants is palpable. Team Mohamed’s, driven by the pursuit of excellence, relentlessly tests their cars during the off-season, ever determined to one-up their previous performances. This unwavering commitment makes them an imposing obstacle for any challenger daring to take them on.

July 30 promises to be a day of reckoning, as these formidable machines, fine-tuned to perfection, unleash their

raw power on the tarmac.

With all cars on the brink of breaking the 6-second barrier, the stage is set for an electrifying display of speed, skill, and sheer willpower.

In the high-stakes world of drag racing, there are no guarantees. As the contenders line up at the starting line, spectators would witness a clash of titans, each fuelled by an insatiable hunger for victory. This is an event where dreams are made and records are shattered.

So, mark your calendars and buckle up for a breathtaking showdown at Tropical Shipping Drag Wars 2. The question remains: Amidst the thundering engines and screeching tires, who will have what it takes to dethrone Team Mohamed’s and etch their name in the annals of Guyana drag racing history? There’s only one way to find out – be there on July 30 and witness the heart-stopping action unfold before your eyes. Trust us, you want to take advantage of this! (GMRSC)

A look at Team Mohamed’s unbeatable fleet